Last updated: January 25, 2022

Main Policies

Sale of heated tobacco products

Sale of heated tobacco products

Banned
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Analysis

Decision No. 2149 bans the import of tobacco products that are specifically, “consumed by being heated or being lit, other than cigarettes, shredded tobacco products for hand-rolled cigarettes, tobacco products for use in pipes, tobacco products for use in hookahs, cigars, and cigarillos, and all products that are used to imitate tobacco products regardless of their nicotine content including electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs as well as electronic devices, apparatus, spare parts, and solutions used in the consumption of these products.” Tobacco inserts are considered “tobacco products” and devices are considered “electronic devices…used in the consumption” of tobacco inserts. Therefore, the import of tobacco inserts and devices is banned.

Circular 2020/7 provides an exception for imports for personal use, including one device per person and 200 tobacco inserts in total.

Further, domestic production of HTPs must have approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and no approval has been granted as of this review. As such, the combination of the import ban and the production ban effectively bans the sale of HTPs.

Main policies

Use in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport

Some Restrictions
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Analysis

The law bans the use of any tobacco product, which, by definition, includes HTPs, in all public transport and most indoor workplaces and indoor public places. Consumption of tobacco products is allowed in designated areas in care facilities for the elderly, psychiatric hospitals, and prisons. Also, hotel rooms may be designated for use of tobacco products. Therefore, existing smoking prohibitions are interpreted to apply to HTPs.

Advertising and promotion (excluding point of sale product display)

Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Banned
Devices: Banned
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Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Banned
Analysis

The law bans virtually all forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products, which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts.


Devices: Banned
Analysis

The law bans virtually all forms of advertising and promotion of “tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices.

Sponsorship

Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Some Restrictions
Devices: Some Restrictions
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Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Some Restrictions
Analysis

The law prohibits companies that produce or market “tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts, from contributing in any manner to any event or activity by using their names, logos, or trademarks. However, there do not appear to be restrictions on sponsorship of things other than events and activities, and therefore sponsorship and publicity of individuals, organizations, or governments may be allowed. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.


Devices: Some Restrictions
Analysis

The law prohibits companies that produce or market “tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices, from contributing in any manner to any event or activity by using their names, logos, or trademarks. However, there do not appear to be restrictions on sponsorship of things other than events and activities, and therefore sponsorship and publicity of individuals, organizations, or governments may be allowed. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.

Point of sale product display

Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Devices: Not Applicable
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Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.


Devices: Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.

Sale of heated tobacco products via the internet

Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Devices: Not Applicable
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Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.


Devices: Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.

Sale of heated tobacco products via vending machines

Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Devices: Not Applicable
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Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.


Devices: Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.

Specified ingredients/additives

Not Applicable
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Health warnings on product packaging

Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Devices: Not Applicable
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Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.


Devices: Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.

Other product packaging and labeling requirements

Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Devices: Not Applicable
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Tobacco inserts (sticks, pods): Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.


Devices: Not Applicable
Analysis

The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.

Manufacturer/importer disclosure and/or notification requirements

Not Applicable
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